Device for enabling authenticated self- / rapid tests

Abstract

A device for enabling authenticated self- / rapid tests, characterized in that a commercially available self-test kit for detecting infection has a marking on the stick to delineate the holding area, an oversized barcode serves for consistent identification despite different camera qualities, a conventional barcode is in informative correlation with the oversized barcode or other large marking, the barcode on the stick is optically identical to the code on the transparent test container, such that an optical match can be demonstrated during immersion, a further marking on the stick and test container demonstrates that the cotton ball has been sufficiently immersed in the test container, and a barcode on the result module completes the identification of all components of the test kit.and all these items can be permanently recorded by a video camera – together with the test subject – and software can verify the consistently correct execution of the self-test, even automatically through AI.

Description

[0001] During pandemics or other infection control measures, there is a need to enable authenticated self-tests, allowing private individuals to carry out such a test correctly, but also to prove that the test was actually carried out professionally by themselves.

[0002] According to the current state of the art, this is done by the test subject first authenticating themselves using an app, then performing the test themselves, affixing a barcode included with the test to it, photographing it and sending it to a central data storage system via the app, then blacking out the test and thus rendering it unusable, and sending a second photo of the invalidated test to the central system as well.

[0003] The weakness of this current approach lies in the fact that, despite the elaborate procedure, no real proof is provided that the test was carried out by oneself and not by a third party, and thus this approach, while making sense with honesty and goodwill, is not legally binding.

[0004] It is also state of the art that unspecified video-documented self-tests are intended to remedy the situation, but there is a risk that: a) the self-test cannot be permanently identified in the video image; b) markings can be obscured; c) the camera quality is insufficient to film small markings clearly; d) no assignment to a data storage system can be made; e) the test stick and test container cannot be clearly matched; f) the video cannot demonstrate whether the cotton ball was immersed sufficiently deep in the test container; g) one would actually prefer to retain existing rapid testing devices for cost reasons, without having to build new tools; h) a video-documented self-test does not provide binding proof of correct execution.

[0005] These 8 seemingly unavoidable problems are solved with minimal effort by the features of the device listed in claim 1.

[0006] The device consists of a so-called rapid test device kit and only one marking or print per test kit item (D, E, H). The marking can be applied using standard paint or adhesive. Marking A delineates the area of ​​the test stick E that the test subject is permitted to touch, ensuring that other markings are not obscured during video recording (solution to problems a) and b) above). The large marking B ensures that even with low-quality video cameras, cameras with autofocus, and varying camera distances, the test stick can be consistently identified (solution to problem c) above).C1 is a state-of-the-art barcode, but it gains a new capability by being identical to barcode C3. This allows the video camera to verify the belonging together of the test kit components when the test rod E is immersed in the transparent container D (solution to problems d) and e) above). For the same reference, the identical barcode C2 is also present on the result component H. The correlation KBC ensures the assignment between C1 and B via an informative primary key, thus guaranteeing the identification of the test kit components even with changing camera settings (solution to problem d) above). The markings J1 and J2 ensure that the video camera can determine that the rod is inserted deep enough into the test container (solution to problem f) above).With this informative extension of the test kit, a camera recording from the video camera V and an evaluating software S can prove the necessary continuous image content and thus the correctness of the test, when using a test subject P who is also in the image W (solution of the above problem h)).

[0007] Additionally - as described in claim 2 - the device can also be produced in such a way that individual parts or embodiments of the device are excluded in order to produce the device even more cost-effectively.

[0008] Fig.Figure 1 describes the setup of the device, consisting of a conventional self-test kit which, as described, receives an optical extension, specifically markings A, B, C1, J1, and F on rod E, markings C3 and J2 on test container D, and marking C3 on result module H. The mixing area G is visible at the bottom of the test container, where the subject's excrement is mixed with the test fluid. The camera V captures the subject P at camera angle W and transmits the image to the evaluation software S. Reference symbol list A marking indicating the maximum height at which the stick may be touched. B line configuration that enables identification at any camera distance and quality. C Barcode as a numerical assignment for external data storage C2 barcode as a numerical assignment for external data storage C2 barcode as a numerical assignment for external data storage D Test container E Test rod, with the delimitation of a handle by A F cotton ball / receptor G Union area H Result component KBC Assignable Correlation between B and C J1 plunge knife on stick J2 immersion knife on test container Camera angle and its boundaries P Subject who is permanently in the image V Video camera Software for video analysis

Claims

[1] Device for enabling authenticated self / rapid tests characterized bythat a commercially available self-test kit for detecting infection has a marker on the stick to delineate the holding area, that an oversized barcode serves for consistent identification despite varying camera qualities, that a conventional barcode is informatively correlated with the oversized barcode or other large marker, that the barcode on the stick is optically identical to the code on the transparent test container, such that an optical match can be demonstrated during immersion, that a further marker on the stick and test container confirms that the cotton ball has been sufficiently immersed in the test container, and that a barcode on the result module completes the identification of all components of the test kit.and all these items can be permanently recorded by a video camera – together with the test subject – and software can verify the consistently correct execution of the self-test, even automatically through AI. [2] Device according to claim 1, characterized by , that individual parts or versions of the device can be excluded in order to produce the device even more cost-effectively.

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